AMSOIL Drivetrain Fluids

ATF, CVT fluid, DCT fluid, manual-transmission fluid, differential gear lube and transfer-case fluid are not interchangeable. The right answer depends on the exact component, the exact OEM specification and the exact viscosity your vehicle calls for.

Explore the AMSOIL Product Guides

Most cars, SUVs and pickups should start with the Auto/Light Truck Guide. The full guides hub also includes lookup tools for Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile, Marine Outboard, PWC, Heavy-Duty On-Road, Heavy-Duty Off-Road and Agriculture applications.

Why the guide comes first

Two vehicles that look similar can use completely different drivetrain fluids. One transfer case may call for ATF. Another may call for gear lube. One manual transmission may want synchromesh fluid. Another may require GL-4 gear lube.

This page is designed to help you understand the AMSOIL drivetrain fluid families. The lookup guide should always be the final check before you buy.

Why AMSOIL drivetrain fluids fit so many applications

OEM names like DEXRON, MERCON, WS, DW-1, HCF-2, NS-3 and AutoTrak II are performance specifications. AMSOIL builds separate fluid families around the friction, viscosity, wear-control, oxidation-resistance and cold-flow needs of those applications.

That is why the lineup is split into dedicated families for:

• Automatic transmissions
• Continuously variable transmissions
• Dual-clutch transmissions
• Synchromesh manual transmissions
• GL-4 manual transmissions and transaxles
• Differentials, gearboxes and gear-lube transfer cases

Match the drivetrain type first. Then match the exact spec and viscosity in the guide.

Automatic transmission fluids

Signature Series automatic transmission fluids

Choose Signature Series when the vehicle sees towing, hauling, heat, mountain driving, heavy loads or other severe service.

• AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
  For many traditional and legacy multi-vehicle ATF applications. Common examples include GM DEXRON II and III, Ford MERCON and MERCON V, Honda ATF-Z1, Toyota Type T/T-II/T-III/T-IV, Subaru ATF/ATF-HP and some ATF-specified transfer cases.

• AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
  For many lower-viscosity and fuel-efficient ATF applications. Common examples include GM DEXRON VI, Ford MERCON LV, Toyota WS, Honda DW-1, Nissan Matic-S/Matic-W, Hyundai/Kia SP-IV and many newer low-vis ATF requirements.

• AMSOIL Signature Series ULV 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
  For true ultra-low-viscosity automatic transmissions, including many newer GM and Ford 10-speed applications that specifically call for DEXRON ULV or MERCON ULV.

OE automatic transmission fluids

Choose OE when you want AMSOIL protection through OEM-recommended drain intervals.

• AMSOIL OE Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
  For many multi-vehicle ATF applications, including examples like GM DEXRON II and III, GM AutoTrak II, Ford MERCON and MERCON V, Honda ATF-Z1 and Toyota Type T/T-IV.

• AMSOIL OE Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
  For many fuel-efficient ATF applications, including examples like Ford MERCON LV, GM DEXRON VI, Honda DW-1, Toyota WS, Nissan Matic-S/Matic-W and Hyundai/Kia SP-IV.

Important: CVT and DCT applications do not use ordinary ATF. Transfer cases can call for either ATF or gear lube depending on the vehicle, so always verify in the guide.

Continuously variable transmission fluid

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic CVT Fluid is for belt- and chain-type continuously variable transmissions. CVTs need specialized friction characteristics so the belt or chain can work correctly on the pulleys without slipping.

Common examples include Nissan NS-1/NS-2/NS-3, Honda HMMF/HCF-2, Subaru Lineartronic CVTF, Toyota/Lexus TC/FE, Ford MERCON C/CVT23/CVT30, GM DEX-CVT and Mitsubishi CVTF-J1/CVTF-J4.

Dual-clutch transmission fluid

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic DCT Fluid is for dual-clutch transmissions. DCTs combine wet-clutch friction demands with gearbox protection, which is why they need a dedicated fluid instead of ordinary ATF or ordinary manual gear oil.

Common examples include BMW DCTF-1/MTF-LT-5, Ford WSS-M2C200-D2 and WSS-M2C936-A, Mercedes-Benz 236.21/236.25, Porsche DCT applications, VW/Audi G 052 182 and G 052 529, Volvo 1161838/1161839 and Nissan GT-R R35 transmission oil applications.

Manual transmission and transaxle fluids

For synchromesh-style manual transmissions

AMSOIL 5W-30 Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid is built for certain manual transmissions and transaxles that call for a synchromesh-style fluid instead of ATF or gear lube.

Common examples include certain GM and Chrysler applications, New Venture NV T350/NV1500/NV2550/NV3500/NV3550/NV5600, Tremec T4/T5/T18/T56/T176/TKO500/TKO600/TR3450/TR3550, Land Rover MTF-94 replacements and Honda Genuine MTF manual-transaxle replacements.

For GL-4 manual transmissions and transaxles

AMSOIL 75W-90 Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube is the right family when the guide calls for GL-4 gear lube instead of synchromesh fluid or ATF. It fits applications that require 75W-85, 75W-90 or 80W-90 GL-4 manual-transmission/transaxle fluid.

Common examples include GL-4 applications from Acura, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen, plus NV4500 applications.

Differentials, gearboxes and gear-lube transfer cases

When the guide calls for gear lube in an axle, differential, final drive or transfer case, match the exact viscosity it specifies.

• AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-85 100% Synthetic Gear Lube
• AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube
• AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-110 100% Synthetic Gear Lube
• AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-140 100% Synthetic Gear Lube
• AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 80W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube

SEVERE GEAR is built for high-load, severe-duty use. It resists heat, maintains viscosity, protects against wear, pitting and scoring, improves cold-flow performance and already contains friction modifiers for limited-slip applications.

That makes it a strong fit for hard-working differentials, towing and hauling, off-road use, performance driving and gear-lube transfer cases.

A simple way to choose the right drivetrain fluid

1. Open the AMSOIL Product Guides.
2. Choose your vehicle type.
3. Verify the exact component: automatic transmission, CVT, DCT, manual transmission, front differential, rear differential or transfer case.
4. Match the fluid family and viscosity the guide calls for.
5. Do not substitute ATF, CVT fluid, DCT fluid, synchromesh fluid or gear lube for one another unless the guide specifically points you there.

Find your exact fit

Use the AMSOIL Product Guides before you order. It is the fastest way to confirm the right drivetrain fluid for your exact vehicle, spec and service point.

For most cars, SUVs and pickups, start here: Auto/Light Truck Guide

For heavy-duty and specialty equipment, use the full hub to select the matching vehicle-type guide.

OEM names and specification references are shown only to help identify application requirements. Always confirm the exact recommendation in the AMSOIL Product Guides before service.